The 2025 NRL season showcased some exceptional talent across the league, resulting in one of the tightest competitions in recent memory.
This year's team highlights several new faces, as well as many established names who have again dominated the field at their position.
The Sporting News breaks down its 2025 NRL team of the year, providing insight into why each player earned a spot and the role they played in shaping the season.
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NRL team of the year 2025
Fullback: James Tedesco (Roosters)
James Tedesco delivered an elite season, once again proving why he is regarded as one of the league's most complete fullbacks.
The 32-year-old was back to his try-scoring best this season crossing for 11 four-pointers. He also took another step with his ball-playing ability from the back, notching 21 try-assists on the year.
Tedesco led the league in tackle breaks and run metres, reinforcing his status as one the hardest players to bring down in the competition.
Earlier in the season, Rabbitohs speedster Jye Gray took the league by storm, shooting out to an early lead in the Dally M voting.
Other notable fullback efforts included Kaeo Weekes, Will Kennedy, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Scott Drinkwater.
However, over the course of 27 Rounds, both the statistical output and the eye test favoured the Roosters number one, who returns to his spot as the standard-bearer for fullbacks in the NRL.
Wingers: Xavier Coates (Storm) & Mark Nawaqanitawase (Roosters)
Xavier Coates had an exceptional season on the left flank for the Storm, scoring 19 tries in 19 games, while also running for an average of 149 metres per game.
The 24-year-old was a consistent aerial threat for Melbourne's playmakers to target in the red zone, fundamentally changing the way teams approached defending them.
Mark Nawaqanitawase burst onto the scene following a successful rugby union career and a half-season adapting to the 13-man code with the Roosters in 2024.
In his sophomore season with the tri-colours, he became the NRL's leading try-scorer, including one of the greatest four-pointers of all time against the Bulldogs in Round 11.
Despite his strong season, a recent rule change has prevented him from winning Rookie of the Year; an award he would've won by six lengths. Instead, he will have to settle for the prize of being named in the team of the year.
Other wingers, including Brian To'o, Jacob Kiraz, Josh Addo-Carr, and Daniel Tupou, had strong seasons, but Coates and Nawaqanitawase's combination of highlights and statistical excellence has earned them this award.
Centres: Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) & Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs)
Herbie Farnworth's second season with the Dolphins was a standout campaign. He scored 12 tries in 19 games, added nine assists, and averaged 170 metres before a hamstring injury in Round 22 ended his season.
He was destructive in attack with 17 line breaks, but the mark of a great centre is their defence. Farnworth made 94 per cent of his tackles, making him a lockdown player on the Dolphins' left edge.
Stephen Crichton also lived up to his billing in his second season as captain of the Bulldogs. He tallied three tries, 12 assists, 13 line breaks and 57 goals across 19 appearances.
His defining moment came in Round 10 against Canberra, sparking a comeback win against the minor premiers with three line breaks, two try assists and one four-pointer in arguably the most dominant individual performance of the 2025 regular season.
Toluta Koula and Kotoni Staggs also impressed, but Farnworth and Crichton were deservedly chosen as the 2025 centres of the year.
Five-Eighth: Ethan Strange (Raiders)
Ethan Strange's 2025 campaign was his breakout season, elevating him from a promising young talent to a genuine star.
Calls for his selection in the Australian side ahead of the Ashes tour have grown louder with every passing round as he became one of the competition's most talked-about playmakers.
Across 23 appearances, Strange scored 13 tries and added 12 try-assists. His ability to both finish plays and create opportunities for others gave the Raiders a constant edge in attack.
The 21-year-old's defining moment came in the now infamous 'Mudgee Miracle' against Penrith, where his late-game heroics sealed the victory in golden-point and was the catalyst for the green machine's first minor premiership since 1990.
Halfback: Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins)
Isaiya Katoa has firmly established himself as the face of the Dolphins' franchise, with experts across the league singing his praises.
If you're a fan of the nuances halves use when manipulating a defence, Katoa will have been one of your personal favourites in 2025.
Rugby league immortal Andrew Johns declared the 21-year-old the premier young playmaker in the game.
Katoa played 23 games and produced 22 try-assists and 21 line break assists, orchestrating the Dolphins attack with precision. His control through his kicking game was equally impressive, forcing nine dropouts and averaging over 444 kick metres per match.
Already an international for Tonga since 2022, Katoa has announced himself amongst much more experienced peers, and looks destined for many more defining moments in the years to come.
Props: Terrell May (Tigers) & Payne Haas (Broncos)
Terrell May was one of the biggest impact signings of the 2025 season. Across 24 appearances, he averaged 167 run metres per game, consistently laying a platform for the Tigers' playmakers.
His 65 tackle breaks and 1, 283 post-contact metres reflected his ability to put a dent in opposition defensive lines.
What truly set May apart this season was his offloading ability. He led the league with a remarkable 66 offloads, often creating second-phase opportunities which allowed his teammates to capitalise.
Defensively, May was just as strong, producing 42 tackles per game at a superb 97.9 per cent efficiency. Week after week, he showed resilience and commitment in the middle, making him one of the competition's most reliable big men.
The other half of this front-row tandem is Payne Haas, who once again set the benchmark for props in the NRL.
In 21 games for the Broncos, he averaged 167 run metres and 67.5 metres post-contact. In defence, he was near flawless, making 34 tackles per game at an incredible 98.5 per cent efficiency.
Together, May and Haas form a dream front-row pairing for the 2025 team of the year.
Hooker: Blayke Brailey (Sharks)
Blayke Brailey's 2025 season was a career-defining campaign, finishing by being named Cronulla's captain for their finals run after Cam McInnes went down with injury.
Across 24 appearances, Brailey tallied 14 try assists and 11 line break assists. His crisp service kept Cronulla's attack flowing, while his work in second-phase opportunities often unlocked opposition defences.
Defensively, Brailey was immense. He made a staggering 1, 032 tackles with a 94.9 per cent efficiency, shoring up the only perceived vulnerability in his game.
The other dummy-half in the running was Melbourne's Harry Grant, however, due to suspension he was ineligible for this list, opening the door for Brailey to claim the spotlight.
The Sharks' hooker's rise as both a player and leader has established him as one of the game's premier number nine's.
Second-Rowers: Hudson Young (Raiders) & Eliesa Katoa (Storm)
Hudson Young and Eliesa Katoa dominated the field this year with the number one and two seed Raiders and Storm respectively.
Young was one of the league's premier try-scoring threats, regardless of position, for much of the season. He crossed ten times in 20 games, including multiple doubles.
The 27-year-old was also an enforcer on the Raiders left edge, intimidating opposition ball-runners in all of his 31 tackles per game.
Katoa was also no stranger to the try line in 2025, notching 12 four-pointers of his own. He was particularly dangerous in the air, connecting on several cross-field kicks from both Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes.
The 25-year-old has been building up to this sort of campaign since arriving in Melbourne, but 2025 was truly the breakout season many were expecting from him.
He's a lock to represent Tonga in this year's Pacific Championships, his tape over the last 27 rounds spoke for itself - an easy choice for the right-side second-rower in the 2025 team of the year.
Lock: Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans)
Despite the Titans finishing near the bottom of the ladder in 2025, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui stood tall as their standout performer.
In 18 appearances, he ran for 144 metres per game, consistently driving his team forward in difficult circumstances.
His physicality remained a trademark, producing 35 tackle breaks and over 1000 post-contact metres. His 28 offloads also added second-phase to a Titans attack often starved of momentum.
Defensively, he was committed as always, making 32 tackles a game at a 91.8 per cent efficiency rate. His effort and resilience never wavered, even when the Titans were down and out.
Although it was a tough season on the Gold Coast, Tino stamped his place in the team of the year, underlining the urgency with which the club needs to convince him to stay amid interest from rivals.
Interchange: Erin Clark (Warriors), Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), Naufahu Whyte (Roosters), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs)
Erin Clark returned to the Warriors from a stint with the Titans and was one of the breakout players of this past season. He became the engine for his side, running for an average of 149 metres per game and making a tick over 34 tackles each match.
Addin Fonua-Blake was exactly the high-impact forward that Craig Fitzgibbon signed him to be in 2025, leading the league in post-contact metres and generally being a menace in the middle.
Naufahu Whyte gave the Roosters plenty of impact across 22 games. He averaged 149 metres per game and made a total of 65 tackle breaks over the year, underlining his strength in contact.
Viliame Kikau earns the last interchange position. The towering Fijian produced six tries, 47 offloads, and eight line break assists this season, making the Bulldogs left edge one of the most potent attacking units in the league.